Box Score MONTICELLO, ARK. – Harding senior Lonnie Smith scored 26 points, shooting 12-of-13 from the foul line, to lead the Bisons to a 79-73 road Gulf South Conference victory over Arkansas-Monticello at Steelman Field House.
The win improved Harding’s record to 9-3 overall and evened its conference mark at 1-1. Arkansas-Monticello fell to 9-5 overall and 2-1 in the GSC. The Bisons snapped a three-game losing streak to the Boll Weevils but was Harding’s third win in four games in Monticello.
Harding shot 52% in the first half and led 31-26 at the half. The Bisons continued their hot shooting in the second half, knocking down 61% after the break. Harding shot 19-of-23 (83%) in the second half and 27-of-32 in the game.
The Harding defense stymied UAM’s leading scorer, Nate Newell. The junior entered the game averaging 22 points, but Bisons Ceso Sprewell and Cole Kee limited him to only 13 points and 1-of-10 shooting from three-point range.
Sprewell added 17 points, shooting 6-of-8 from the field and 5-of-5 from the line. Kee dropped in 14 points, shooting 5-of-7.
J.B. Williams picked up the offensive slack for Arkansas-Monticello. The junior transfer scored 27 points, hitting five of UAM’s nine three-pointers. Williams picked up his fourth foul midway through the second half and made only 1-of-5 from the field the rest of the way.
The Bisons will be back in action Thursday, taking on Southern Arkansas in Magnolia. The tip-off is at 8 p.m.
